Higher Education Quick Takes

Quick Takes

Russell Davis, president of Gloucester County College, has resigned amid an investigation into possible financial irregularities that had the college turning over numerous records to country prosecutors, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Davis had been president at the college since September 2008.

The April 2011 edition of The Pulse podcast features an interview with Ray Henderson, president of Blackboard Learn, talking about future directions for Blackboard's teaching and learning division and the key differences for faculty between Angel and Blackboard 9.1. Find out more about The Pulse here.

The board of Brookdale Community College is considering a suit against its former president, Peter Burnham, following a review of an audit uncovering questionable expenses, The Star-Ledger reported. Among the expenses for which Burnham was reimbursed in apparent violation of district policies: a $1,300 trip to Arizona, $109 in golf clothing and $53 in drinks at a Philadelphia steakhouse. Burnham recently resigned after being placed on leave. He has not commented on the inquiry into his spending.

The University of California Hastings College of Law took last-minute action to remove its name (and to have its dean withdraw from plans to offer opening remarks) at a conference on how legal systems could be used to support Palestinian rights, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The college's board met just prior to the conference, in response to complaints from pro-Israel organizations that said the conference was one-sided. Many faculty members say that the academic freedom of conference organizers was violated when the dean was told not to welcome participants.

In today's Academic Minute, Ashlye Keaton of Tulane University describes the work behind the creation of Mardi Gras Indians, and a new effort to protect the artists' rights. Find out more about the Academic Minute here.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has replaced the only trustee on the board of the Medical University of South Carolina who was a woman or an African American, The State reported. Some legislators are charging that the governor, a Republican, is taking away needed diversity from the board. The governor has defended the quality of those she is appointing to boards.

An internal audit has found little oversight over the travel expenses of Allen Sessoms, president of the University of the District of Columbia, The Washington Post reported. The audit noted that no budgets were ever developed for the president's travel -- which has come under scrutiny -- and that there was little evidence that the university's board monitored these expenses. A spokesman said that the university would not comment until the board reviews the audit.

More than 400 sociologists have signed a petition urging colleagues to vote against a proposed dues increase by the American Sociological Association unless the group provides more details on why the money is needed. The petition notes that the ASA has explained that a new dues structure is needed to make the system more progressive, and the petition endorses that principle. But it notes that, more than make dues more progressive, the new structure increases fees for all working sociologists and produces significantly more revenue for the ASA. "We believe that such a large aggregate increase in dues should be explained to members, before any vote, by a clear account of what more the ASA will be doing or why it needs to raise funds beyond a cost of living increase to continue existing services. This explanation must be specific about the services to be funded by additional dues revenue, and distinguish services that need additional dues funds from those that generate enough revenue on their own to break-even or make a profit."

Sally T. Hillsman, executive officer of the association, noted in response that the ASA publishes its annual audit online and has shared detailed financial plans with members, and will continue to do so. She added, however, that "it is clear that our members need and want more information," and said more would be forthcoming. "While we believe that revising the dues structure will benefit ASA, it is important to note that it is a proposal. ASA members have the final say," she said. "We have been glad to see vibrant discussion among members about the proposed dues change."

The Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers has barred Damian Bonazzoli from practicing law for six months, after learning that he was advertising on Craigslist to write (for a fee) term papers for others, The Telegram & Gazette reported. He was discovered after CommonWealth Magazine wrote an article about his side business. Bonazzoli declined to comment.

Higher education groups are expressing concerns over the impact on student health centers of parts of proposed regulations to carry out various parts of health care reform legislation passed last year. A letter submitted from the American Council on Education raised concerns about the definitions of student health plans and the impact on self-funded student plans, among other issues. Similar concerns are also being raised by the American College Health Association.